Goliath

The first track pieces arrived at Six Flags Magic Mountain before the new attraction had been formally announced. Construction then began on the hillside between the Superman tower and Colossus, giving the ride a commanding position within the park. ultimaterollercoaster.com· coasterpedia.net

In November 1999, Six Flags announced the name Goliath and described an all-steel mega coaster designed and engineered by Giovanola of Monthey, Switzerland. The scheme combined a great first descent with sweeping turns, floating hills, and a passage into darkness. ultimaterollercoaster.com· ultimaterollercoaster.com

Goliath opened on February 11, 2000. For a brief period it held the distinction of being the fastest complete-circuit coaster in the world, before that honour passed to Millennium Force at Cedar Point. coasterpedia.net· coaster101.com

Later accounts have continued to single out the ride's great height and descending helix. Its traditional chain lift and straightforward steel layout give Goliath the character of a grand California park coaster built at the height of the turn-of-the-century coaster race. coaster101.com· ultimaterollercoaster.com